by Michael Eon
The idea for my debut novel, These Things Happen, began years ago when I was in early recovery from active alcoholism.
I had become a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and had stopped drinking, but had yet to do anything more for my recovery outside of not drinking and going to meetings.
After a few years in a state of what I would call “stark raving sobriety,” I finally got the courage to ask a fellow member to be my sponsor and to take me through the Twelve Steps as outlined in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
I Used a Journal to Take a Moral Inventory of Myself
As part of that process, I wrote a fearless and thorough moral inventory of myself, which included an analysis of the resentments I’d held my entire life against people, institutions, and principles.
Rather than lay blame, as I’d always done, the process required that I look at my part in the resentment, and where I’d been selfish and dishonest. As my 4th Step writing continued, I had begun to see how the world had dominated my life since childhood.
It turns out that alcohol had only been a symptom of a deeper sickness … a spiritual sickness, which reared its ugly head in all sorts of thoughts and behaviors including anger, hate, self-justification, and much more.
And all of these defects of character, I’d learned, were driven by deep-seated, self-centered fears—essentially, fear of losing something I already had, or not getting something I believed I was owed.
From Exploratory Journaling to a Novel
This moral inventory I’d written served as the basis for more exploratory journaling I’d begun to do following my consummation of the 12-Step process (I say “consummation” but one never actually completes the 12-Steps as they are my basis for living a spiritually useful life today).
This journaling began to explore in greater detail and depth the moments of my life—the memories and experiences—that had seemed to govern my existence from childhood onward.
These memories and experiences, mostly traumatic in nature, served as the basis for my twisted worldview in which everyone was to blame for all of my problems.
As my writing continued and I began to flesh out these “memory stories,” it had become clear to me that my alcohol use, which began at the age of thirteen, was simply a survival mechanism that had enabled me to escape and numb myself.
The irony is that I’d always believed my “using” was to escape the world and the people I had to live with in it, when it was really about escaping the world I had created for myself—a self-constructed prison dripping with anger and hatred of my fellow mankind.
How My Journaling Stories Turned Into a Novel
As I progressed in my recovery, I had the idea of incorporating these “memory stories” into a novel.
My goal was to create a story that portrayed both active addiction and recovery along with all of the trauma and hope that goes with that journey.
Daniel’s journey in the novel exemplifies this in both his struggle and redemption. Although raw and emotional, the novel strives to be both realistic and spiritual, even going so far as to provide specific tools for the reader (or any human being) to better their life.
I’d be grateful if readers left the book with a better understanding of addiction and the addict, including the importance of one’s formative years and familial relations.
I’d also love for the reader to become more openminded toward spiritual principles and the concept of power through surrender. But make no mistake: one need not be an addict or aware of substance addiction to either enjoy or learn from the novel. The novel’s concepts and themes are universal.
My Biggest Challenge When Writing My Novel: Emotional Exhaustion
The greatest challenge I faced throughout the years while writing this novel was the relentless emotional exhaustion I experienced.
There were several times I wanted to give up, but my wife was just as relentless in her encouragement. Had my goal purely been financial success, I’m sure I would have given up.
But it was always about creating a story that would have the power to heal. As an active member of AA, I strive each day to be useful to the people around me, to give back and to pay forward what was so freely given to me.
This is why I chose to publish the finished work, and why I choose today to continue to market the work via social media and targeted advertising via email blasts and other forms.
The best advice I can give other writers is to keep pushing forward, to show your drafts to as many “beta readers” as possible, and to research all options when it comes to publishing.
A Note on Book Marketing
Note: Books Forward, Michael’s publicist, suggests the following:
As an indie or debut author it can oftentimes be difficult to break through in the publishing industry and get your book into the hands of readers who will enjoy your story. Running ads is a great way to bridge the gap and target readers that might be more inclined to buy your book. Amazon and Facebook have ad programs where authors can run their own advertisements by selecting keywords, products, and genres that align with their book in the hopes of targeting a consumer who is looking for those products, keywords, or genres.
Monitoring ads regularly, adjusting bids, making sure you have copy that is engaging and includes a call to action can help the success of your ad campaign. I’d also suggest using Canva to make ad creatives that are sleek, include a call to action, and are aesthetically pleasing. Less is more here, don’t make the ad too crowded, use similar fonts but vary size, color, and caps vs. lowercase lettering.
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Michael Eon
Michael earned a BA in psychology from the University of Michigan and an MA in international affairs from Columbia University. A former board member of the Audio Publishers Association and a former producer of major motion pictures and television productions, Michael worked in the publishing and entertainment industries for more than twenty years.
Michael discovered the core of this story through the cathartic processing of autobiographical memories, following its evolution into this novel of redemption and recovery. Originally from the New York area, he currently lives in New Hampshire with his family. These Things Happen is his first novel.
For more information on Michael and his work, please see his website and Amazon author page, and connect with him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
These Things Happen
Daniel Zimmer will do almost anything to end his pain—except for the one thing that might work.
Growing up in 1970s Brooklyn under the shadow of his tyrannical father and against the backdrop of the Son of Sam murders, the Karen Ann Quinlan tragedy, and the New York Yankees’ back-to-back championship seasons, Daniel Zimmer struggles to find a sense of safety and belonging.
Daniel and his brother Max find moments of solace in the rebellious rhythms of early punk and metal bands like the Ramones and Judas Priest. But when faced with an unexpected family tragedy—for which he feels responsible—Daniel discovers the magical escape that alcohol can provide, numbing his pain and guilt.
Carrying the trauma of his youth into adulthood, Daniel falls deeper into alcoholism as he fights to face life on life’s terms. Then, just as he finally begins to embrace sobriety, Max attempts suicide and Daniel’s ex-fiancée makes an unexpected reappearance. Forced to face his demons head-on, Daniel struggles to take things one day at a time.
Flashing through Daniel’s life, past and present, this nostalgic ode to Brooklyn is an unflinching account of the inevitable ups and downs of recovery and coming of age. Ultimately, it is a story of the ravages of generational abuse and the power of recognizing addiction and opening the door to the possibilities of redemption.
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores.